Description: Synonym: Chlamys distorta.

This small scallop grows to around 5 cm in length and is variable in colour, often very dull. The valves are unequal, with the right valve more convex than the left. There are at least 35 ridges on the shell, increasing with age until there are up to 70, in older specimens ridges can be heavily worn or obscured by concretions. Ridges alternate between wide and narrow. The inner surface of the shell is glossy and has similar colouration to the outside of the shell. The ears are unequal in size and there is a small byssal notch on the right anterior ear. The shell becomes more and more distorted with age, often developing an irregular or twisted shape.

Habitat: Found at depths of up to 100 m on hard substrata. Attached by byssus threads when young but adults will be firmly cemented (right valve).

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland where there is suitable substrate.

Similar Species: Most likely to be confused with Mimachlamys varia, but these have fewer ribs on their shell (35 - 70 ribs in T. pusio, 25-35 in M. varia) and the ribs on M. varia are equal in width, whereas in T. pusio they alternate between thick and thin. Could potentially be confused with the queen scallop Aequipecten opercularis, or juvenile king scallop Pecten maximus but these species do not have unequal ears.

Key Identification Features:

• Unequal valves – right more convex than left.
• At least 35 ridges on shell (up to 70 in older individuals).
• Ridges alternate between thick and thin.
• Older specimens may have a very irregular or distorted appearance.

Distribution Map from NBN: Talochlamys pusio at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Talochlamys pusio at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Talochlamys pusio

WoRMS: Talochlamys pusio at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Talochlamys pusio (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 236715.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Mollusca; Bivalvia; Autobranchia; Pteriomorphia; Pectinida; Pectinoidea; Pectinidae; Pedinae; Chlamydini; Talochlamys